Turnover battle key, especially for Aggies

Western Carolina’s Detrez Newsome is met at the line by the Texas A&M defense at Kyle Field in College Station on Nov. 7, 2015.

Western Carolina’s Detrez Newsome is met at the line by the Texas A&M defense at Kyle Field in College Station on Nov. 7, 2015.

Photo: Sam Craft /Bryan-College Station Eagle

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Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett tackles Western Carolina’s Detrez Newsome during the first half.

Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett tackles Western Carolina’s Detrez Newsome during the first half.

Photo: Juan DeLeon /Associated Press

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Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett celebrates a big defensive play against Western Carolina.

Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett celebrates a big defensive play against Western Carolina.

Photo: Juan DeLeon /Associated Press

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Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall rushes the passer during the first half against Western Carolina. A&M defeated Western Carolina 41-17.

Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall rushes the passer during the first half against Western Carolina. A&M defeated Western Carolina 41-17.

Photo: Juan DeLeon /Associated Press

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Texas A&M cornerback Nick Harvey waits for the next play during the first half against Western Carolina.

Texas A&M cornerback Nick Harvey waits for the next play during the first half against Western Carolina.

Photo: Juan DeLeon /Associated Press

Turnover battle key, especially for Aggies

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Texas A&M defensive coordinator John Chavis takes attention to detail to another level when teaching the art of creating turnovers.

“We do turnover circuits in practice, but the biggest thing is stripping the football,” Chavis said. “We practice things like pulling fingers off of the football — we go into that much detail. Creating turnovers is the easiest way to get off the field.”

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The Aggies are counting on creating at least a couple Saturday night at Vanderbilt in what’s predicted to be a fairly tight game in cold, perhaps even wet weather. When A&M wins the turnover battle in SEC play, it tends to win the game — a mantra holding true for most teams.

Three weeks ago in a 35-28 victory over South Carolina, the Aggies intercepted two passes and didn’t have a turnover of their own. A week later against Auburn, however, the Tigers intercepted the Aggies three times in a 26-10 Auburn victory.

More Information

Kickoff:

6:30 p.m. today, Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.

TV/radio: SEC Network;

KTSA-AM 550 & FM 107.1

Line: A&M by 6½

Series: A&M leads 1-0.

Matchup: Vanderbilt RB Ralph Webb vs. A&M run defense — Aggies are one of the worst teams in the nation against the run, meaning Webb (5-foot-10, 202 pounds) once again might be one of their worst nightmares. He’s closing in on 1,000 yards rushing, and is the type of back who’s given A&M so much trouble this season.

Players: A&M QB Kyle Allen — Although it’s not official and coach Kevin Sumlin said he wouldn’t make an announcement until close to game time, Allen is expected to take over as the starter again. The idea is he gives the Aggies the best chance to win on the road. Allen looked sharp in a quarter of play against Western Carolina; Kyler Murray didn’t in the first three quarters. Vanderbilt DB Oren Burks — Sturdy safety tallied two interceptions a week ago in the Commodores’ victory over Kentucky, including returning one 30 yards for a touchdown.

A&M can win if: Aggies (3-3 SEC) get their passing game going again against a salty Commodores defense, and A&M’s defense keeps Webb in check.

Vandy can win if: Commodores (2-4 SEC) take advantage of cold, perhaps wet conditions and control the ball on offense.

Fun with numbers: Aggies are playing for the first time in Nashville. A&M is 17-5 on the road in four seasons under Sumlin.

Brent Zwerneman

That’s why A&M believes it’s a necessity to get back on track in creating turnovers in SEC action — a week after a 41-17 victory over FCS foe Western Carolina in non-conference play — against an improving Commodores squad under second-year coach Derek Mason.

“They’re going to try and control the ball,” A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said of Vanderbilt’s offense, led by nearly 1,000-yard rusher Ralph Webb. “They make it hard to score. They’re going to (try) and hold people to field goals, control the clock and play good defense. That’s been their formula.”

The best way for the Aggies to keep the Commodores from controlling the clock, then, is creating a turnover, something Chavis dubs “contagious” if A&M can get on a roll on that front again.

“They’re buying into it,” Chavis said of his players going all in on his emphasis on forcing fumbles and snagging interceptions.

It helps, too, when the first-year A&M coordinator shows the defenders video of some of the top turnovers in the NFL — and how they’ve made differences in games’ momentum and outcomes.

“If I see an NFL player doing that I think, ‘Man, I want to be like them,’” senior cornerback Brandon Williams said.

As far as trying to peel fingers off the football to pop it loose, even on the fly?

“It’s an everyday thing,” junior defensive end Daeshon Hall said of the Aggies practicing stripping the ball.

Colleges

With three games remaining, including a bowl game, the Aggies own 16 takeaways, after collecting 13 all of last season. A&M has nine interceptions, including five by safety Donovan Wilson, and seven fumble recoveries.

For their part the Commodores have been buoyed by a 21-17 victory over Kentucky a week ago, and playing No.8 Florida oh-so tight two weeks ago in a 9-7 loss in Gainesville, Florida. It’s why Saturday’s game, A&M’s first in Nashville, is suddenly forecast to be closer than anticipated before the season.

“We have to continue making sure we exhaust everything there is in this football team pushing forward,” said Mason, 7-15 in his two seasons in Nashville. “November is when the real teams show up. You can’t be a pretender. Pretenders fade. People who are relevant stay relevant.”